The liquid soap business has grown from nothing to something , becoming one of the biggest in the manufacturing industry. The domination of the market by multinationals did not deter a micro entrepreneur, Mr Francis Osezele, who is the Managing Director, Freedom Aluminium Company,from trying his hand in the business. He believes value lies in transforming simple commodities into highly profitable brands. This is why he has found liquid soap making an area to invest in. He said every household… Read more

YOU know starting a business is not easy due to a lot of factors, and even when you have succeeded in starting one, it takes proper planning to keep it going until it is really up and running. So it is better you have a proper plan and understanding for one before you start. Are you interested in starting your own business? Below are 13 steps to take before you launch that your dream business. 1. Get the business idea… Read more

Ten UNILAG students have qualified for the grand finale of the 2012/2013 UNILAG Business Plan Competition billed for today at the varsity’s Main Auditorium. The top three finalists, who scaled through the elimination stage of the competition held May 30 focused on fashion and garment businesses. They are: Chidinma Onyebuchi (Law), Nosiru Abidemi (Accounting), and Anuoluwapo Olopade (Law). Fafiolu Olushola (Electrical/Electronics Engineering) and Prudence Okoilu (Physics) focused on Information Technology, while Johnson Adewunmi (Fisheries) and Awala Velly (Law) focused on… Read more

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (SBL) 7th conference kicks off in Lagos this evening with a welcome cocktail at the Eko Hotel and Suites. NBA President OkeyWali (SAN) and prominent leaders, including the General Secretary of the body, Emeka J. P. Obegolu, have expressed optimism and readiness to grace the event. The seventh annual conference of the SBL is the first conference of the section after the expiration of the tenure of its pioneer chairman and… Read more

A three-day meeting between the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) of Nigeria and the Ghana Cinematograph Exhibition Board of Control (GCEBC) on film regulation alliance ended yesterday, with both countries signing a communique that is expected to guide their bilateral relationship in future business dispensation. After a preliminary meeting with the Ghanaian Deputy Minister of Information, Hon. Murtala Mohammed on Wednesday where the mission of the Nigerian delegate was defined, there appeared to be a common understanding on… Read more

Kike Ajibade is a top class beauty entrepreneur. She runs Ann Marie Health and Beauty Spa beside Jade Chinese Restaurant at GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. The youthful CEO has upgraded the profession to a height where applause trails everywhere she goes. At the recent 16th City People Award for Excellence, Kikelomo Ajibade emerged The Female Entrepreneur of the Year. Yet Kikelomo, as friends call her, says, "this is just the beginning!" Since she returned to Nigeria a few years ago from… Read more

Continued from last week TRANSPORTATION SECTOR 4. Inland water way transport Inland water way transport is one of the fastest growing business opportunities in Nigeria. In fact, I believe the niche is still untapped because I am yet to see a modern commercial boat or ferry service system in Nigeria. Though there are a few operators in this industry; I am yet to see the modern facilities being used by the developed countries. Another reason inland water way transport… Read more

Everybody who knows me very well knows that I love music so much my day must start with music and I must gently bow to the power of sleep at night with music. But as much as I love music, I have preference for only a few genre of music namely Soul (Blues), R&B and Juju. Maybe because I grew up knowing no one in my family listening to Fuji, I have never bought a single CD category of music… Read more

Not all small scale enterprises (SMEs) are capital intensive. Some require small capital to start.This is the story of Dr. Samson Makinwa, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Techno Quip Limited, Lagos. Speaking with The Nation about how he made his breakthrough in business, he said a fresh school leaver should not go into a business that requires a huge amount of money. He said with N25,000, a buding entrepreneur can go into the production of liquid soap, laundry soap etc. “I… Read more

Mrs Aanuoluwa Akerele, Chief Management and StrategicOfficer, Weorthscripe Event & Leisure Company, is among the new breed of successful young entrepreneurs who are making it in the travel and tourism industry. She noticed the lack of quality services for people in the market, so she started a business of her own to provide those services. She knew in practice what kind of assistance would be needed. Now her own company works with several organisations, helping them to, among others, find… Read more

Nigeria’s business environment is a difficult terrain for foreign investors, despite its long-term potential as an investment destination, a new report published by Oxford Business Group (OBG) has said. OBG Editor-in-Chief Andrew Jeffreys said Nigeria is a complicated country for a foreign investor to enter because of its problematic infrastructure, competitive labour force, and sizable supply of feedstock, among other factors. Regional Editor Robert Tashima said although Nigeria had a way to go before it supplanted South Africa as the… Read more

THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had a piece of advice for the Federal Government yesterday. It asked Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to step down if it ran out of ideas on how to steer the shipe of the state. The party said the opposition would no longer spoon-feed the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on how to successfully run a government. “If the Jonathan administration is overwhelmed by the demands of running the country, it should indicate so and step… Read more

The cost of doing business in Nigeria is said to be among the highest worldwide. With the on-going privatisation of public firms, the power and banking reforms, among others, expectations are that things will change for the better. EMEKA UGWUANYI, TOBA AGBOOLA and SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN, examine the development. The primary objective of setting up a business enterprise is to provide quality goods and services at very competitive prices and earn reasonable profit, but unstable power supply has largely made… Read more